Foot and Mouth Disease

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will hold an inquiry similar to the Northumberland Committee to establish the full facts relating to the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in order to be able to draw conclusions and lessons from what took place.

Lord Whitty: There will be an inquiry, when the disease is finally over. We have always said we are keen to learn the lessons from this outbreak. The precise nature and scope of the inquiry will be announced in due course by the Prime Minister.

Council of Europe

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What priority they accord to the work of the Council of Europe in the wider European context.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government consider the Council of Europe as a key organisation in the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights throughout Europe. Its role is particularly valuable in the countries of the former Communist bloc, where much remains to be done in establishing the institutions capable of upholding the common European values which are the foundation of the Council of Europe. The Council must continue to co-ordinate closely with other organisations such as the EU and the OSCE which play a key role in securing the rights and prosperity of all European citizens.

Council of Europe

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What priority they accord to the work of the Council of Europe given their policy of "zero growth" in the Council's budget; and what is their rationale for continuing to support the principle of voluntary contributions to finance the implementation of initiatives agreed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government seek to apply "zero real growth"--in some cases zero nominal growth--to the budget of all international organisations to which they belong. This is a necessary discipline which encourages these organisations to keep their working methods and priorities under constant and rigorous review, thus eliminating work which is no longer a priority for most member states. Her Majesty's Government would naturally prefer initiatives agreed by the Committee of Ministers to be funded, wherever possible, within the existing budget by identifying savings and reprioritising commitments. Where unforseen but important activities have arisen, such as the monitoring of the Kosovo elections, Her Majesty's Government have made voluntary contributions.

European Political Parties: Proposed Council Regulation

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is a legal basis under the Treaty on the European Union for the proposals for a Council regulation on the statute and financing of the European Political Parties (COM (2000) 898-C5-0081/2001).

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Commission's proposal for a regulation on the Statute for European Political Parties has Article 308 of the Treaty establishing the European Community as its legal base.

European Political Parties: Proposed Council Regulation

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the proposal for a Council regulation on the statute and financing of European Political Parties (COM (2000) 898-C5-0081/2001) is compatible with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government are committed to ensuring that the Statute will be compatible with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Personal Pension Contribution Statistics

Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will estimate the numbers of personal pension policy holders who do not contribute the full contribution permitted by Inland Revenue rules in each of the following age groups:
	(a) up to 35;
	(b) 35-45;
	(c) 46-50;
	(d) 51-55;
	(e) 56-60; and
	(f) 61-74, and
	Whether they will estimate the number of individuals who do not contribute the maximum pension contribution, paying tax at (i) the basic rate and (ii) the higher rate in each of the following age groups:
	(a) up to 35;
	(b) 35-45;
	(c) 46-50;
	(d) 51-55;
	(e) 56-60; and
	(f) 61-74.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I regret that the information is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Stakeholder Pensions: Cost of Tax Relief

Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What increase in the level of tax relief they expect in 2001-02 arising from the introduction of the stakeholder pension.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The cost of tax relief for additional pension contributions arising from the introduction of stakeholder pensions is estimated at around £200 million for 2001-02. The total cost including also National Insurance rebates to stakeholder pensions is estimated at around £600 million.

Life Assurance Industry Review

Lord Naseby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the advisers to the Ron Sandler Review on the life assurance industry have been appointed; and whether their names will be made public.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: No advisers have been appointed, and there are currently no plans to make any such appointments. Ron Sandler will be supported in his work by a review team and will consult a wide range of interested parties.

Turkey: Economic Reforms

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much financial help has been provided to Turkey by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and related agencies since 1 January 2000; whether the IMF believes that the current practices of private and state-controlled public banks in Turkey are acceptable; and what further actions by the state are considered necessary by the IMF.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Since 22 December, 1999 (when Turkey's economic reform programme began), the IMF has committed SDR 15 billion ($18.8 billion) (for the period to November 2002), of which SDR 6.9 billion ($8.7 billion) has been disbursed. Of this, SDR 221.7 million ($277.1 million) was disbursed prior to 1 January 2000. The World Bank has, to date, committed just under $1.8 billion to support Turkey's reform programme, of which $777 million has been disbursed.
	The IMF and the Turkish authorities have together identified a number of deficiencies in the operation of the Turkish banking system, such as subsidised lending by state banks, and unhedged foreign borrowing by private banks. Measures to address these problems have also been agreed, including recapitalising, restructuring and eventually privatising state banks, and either selling or liquidating insolvent private sector banks.
	In addition to these banking reforms, the IMF and the Turkish authorities have agreed on a range of other actions on which Turkey's economic programme should focus. These include: fiscal consolidation to improve debt sustainability; privatisation and liberalisation of key elements of the economy; and disinflation via inflation targeting. The full details of the programme were set out in the Turkish authorities' Letter of Intent and Memorandum on Economic Policies of 3 May 2001; which has been posted on the IMF's website.

Pakistani Asylum Applicants: Medical Foundation Report

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the recommendations made by the Medical Foundation in its report on Pakistani asylum applicants who claimed to be victims of torture.

Lord Rooker: All asylum caseworkers receive training and instructions in dealing with applicants who are victims of torture. Any evidence of torture is taken very seriously and caseworkers are aware of the need for sensitivity when interviewing victims of torture, as well as the United Kingdom's obligations to protect victims of torture. If there are substantial grounds to believe that there is a real risk that a person will, if returned, be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment, it would be inappropriate to remove them. In such cases, if the applicant does not qualify for asylum, exceptional leave would be granted.
	Previous Medical Foundation reports have been referred to, and drawn upon, in the Home Office country assessments used by caseworkers. We are carefully considering the information provided in the latest Medical Foundation report, and will continue to engage in constructive discussions with all parties who have information on conditions in Pakistan.

Undetermined Asylum Applications 1995-98

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will estimate the number of persons who claimed asylum before 1 July 1995 and 1 July 1998 respectively and who have not yet had decisions on their claims; and whether they will now take steps to see that these applications are considered without further delay.

Lord Rooker: The information is not readily available, and could only be obtained by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, only available at disproportionate cost.
	With the number of asylum applications awaiting initial decision at the lowest level for 10 years, we are seeking to identify and resolve older cases as quickly as possible.

Tobacco Advertising and Promotion: Ban

Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to introduce a Bill on the advertising of tobacco products.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: A Bill to ban tobacco advertising and promotion will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows.

Doctors and Nurses: Recruitment

Lord Shore of Stepney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the extra 20,000 nurses and 10,000 doctors that they propose to attract to the National Health Service they estimate will be trained in the United Kingdom; and how many will be recruited from doctors and nurses trained and working abroad.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Much of the growth in the workforce will be delivered from the increase in doctors and nurses in training. There are over 6,000 more nurse training places and 820 more doctors in the registrar group than there were in 1997. Recruitment and retention initiatives and international recruitment will also contribute to delivery of the workforce increase. Targets have not been set for the number to be recruited from doctors and nurses who trained or are working abroad.

Air Pollutants: Research

Lord Lewis of Newnham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for further research on the issue of the long-term effects of air pollutant exposure in the United Kingdom in view of recent press coverage of a report by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants concerning the impact on Londoners of pollution by airborne particles, based on the results of studies in North America.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The need for further research work on the effects on health of air pollutants, especially on the effects of long-term exposure to pollutants, has been reviewed by the Department of Health. It is likely that a call for research proposals will be published later this year. The areas selected for study will be listed in the call for proposals.

Air Pollutants: Research

Lord Lewis of Newnham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to fund new research on the effects of air pollutant exposure within the home, given that particle levels within the home are typically higher than those outdoors and the latter are estimated to have adverse effects on health and life expectancy.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The effects on health of exposure to indoor air pollutants will be included as some of the topics to be listed in a call for research proposals that is likely to be published later this year. Emphasis will be placed on particles and carbon monoxide.

Type 2 Diabetes: Early Identification

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will establish national targeted programmes to identify Type 2 diabetes early.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We recognise the importance of detecting and treating diabetes as early as possible. We are exploring possible approaches to improving early identification of the condition, including public and professional awareness raising and are planning further work on the evidence for and feasibility of screening sub-groups of the population at high risk of developing diabetes.

Asperger's Syndrome: Diagnosis

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of adults with Asperger's Syndrome are not diagnosed until beyond 16 years of age.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The number of people being identified as having Asperger's Syndrome is increasing. Although more people are being diagnosed in childhood, improvements in diagnosis are also resulting in the initial identification of adults with this disorder. A recent analysis by the National Autistic Society of data from 450 parents of adults with autistic spectrum disorders suggested that 46 per cent of adults with Asperger's Syndrome were not diagnosed until after the age of 16.
	Screening, diagnosis and early interventions in autism are being addressed by a group chaired by Professor Ann Le Couteur. We will consider what further action on diagnosis might be necessary in the light of that group's report.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Community Care Assessment

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their latest information on the number of adults with an autism spectrum disorder who have had a community care assessment.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The NHS and Community Care Act 1990 gave local authorities a duty to give a community care assessment to anyone who, in their view, might be in need of community care services. About 1 million clients in England had completed assessments during the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000. This figure is not broken down by client group.
	A recent analysis by the National Autistic Society of data from 450 parents of adults with autistic spectrum disorders suggested that 38 per cent had received a community care assessment.

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency: Annual Business Plan

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency will publish its annual business plan.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are pleased to announce that the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency's annual business plan has been published and copies have been placed in the Library.

Coal Mine Methane: Utilisation

Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will classify coal mine methane (CMM) as green in status where it can be captured and removed as a waste gas by making it a source of energy.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Coal mine methane is a fossil fuel and this precludes its inclusion as a renewable form of energy as defined under the Utilities Act 2000. As a fossil fuel, it will not be eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation.
	Nevertheless, for both environmental and commercial reasons, the Government welcome greater utilisation of coal mine methane and are examining ways in which support can be given to the industry.

Commonwealth Games: Funding

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the adequacy of funding for next year's Commonwealth Games; what representations they have received about funding of the games; and whether there is any further action they will be taking.

Baroness Blackstone: The Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 will be the biggest multi-sport event ever held in the United Kingdom. They will leave a lasting sporting, economic and social legacy.
	The Minister of State at the Cabinet Office explained, in evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 20 March, that Manchester City Council, with the Government, had arranged a review of the finances and organisation of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year as a build-up to the games moves from the planning to the implementation phase.
	Following the review, conscious of the benefits the games will bring to the nation as a whole, the Government announced on 2 July that they had agreed to provide up to £30 million to support the games. In addition, Sport England has also agreed to provide up to £30 million to support the games' costs in addition to its existing contribution to capital facilities. Manchester City Council will also make available a further £45 million. Twenty-five million pounds of these funds will be held jointly by the three parties as a contingency fund. Government's support is additional to the £10.5 million which the Government have already made available towards the costs of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games, and marks the full extent of the financial support the Government are prepared to make available.
	The Government consider that this package should give the games' organisation sufficient certainty to deliver the games. Manchester City Council continues to retain financial responsibility for the games.
	Discussions continue about the make-up and timing of the package of financial support. The Government, Manchester City Council and Sport England will agree appropriate controls to manage it.

UNHCR: UK Funding

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evaluation they have made of the nature and scale of worldwide need to which the United Nations High Commission for Refugees should be responding; and what conclusions they have reached concerning the appropriate size of the contribution by the United Kingdom to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in the light of such evaluation.

Baroness Amos: The total number of persons of concern to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was 22.3 million as of January 2000. Of these, 11.7 million were refugees, 1.2 million asylum-seekers, 2.5 million returnees and 6.9 million internally displaced persons or others of concern. UNHCR's core mandate is the protection of refugees' rights. The organisation may also provide humanitarian assistance to persons of concern according to need.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) provided approximately £20 million to UNHCR during the year 2000-01 as part of a package of targeted assistance for humanitarian response and to improve the organisation's internal management and programme delivery. Contributions this year are likely to be at a similar level, although this will depend on specific appraisal of needs in response to particular cases affecting refugees.

Freedom of Information Act: Implementation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 19 April (WA 138), what are the reasons preventing them from bringing the Freedom of Information Act 2000 into force for central government departments (as distinct from other public authorities) within one year, as in Canada, New Zealand and Ireland when implementing their Freedom of Information legislation.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: It is the Government's intention to implement the Freedom of Information Act well within the statutory five years.
	Comparisons between the time taken to implement legislation in other countries and the time needed to implement the Act in the United Kingdom must be made with great care. Central government in the United Kingdom provides service for some 60 million people. The Republic of Ireland has 3.6 million inhabitants, New Zealand 3.4 million and Canada 27 million. Moreover, the equivalent legislation in the Republic of Ireland was prospective only, unlike the UK Act, and the legislation in Canada applies only to the federal government, which covers a narrower range of services than central government in the UK.
	The scale of the task of preparing central government in the UK for the implementation of Freedom of Information is therefore significantly greater than that in Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland. A much greater number of people have to be trained in the operation of the Act, and it is important to ensure that the training is of the extent and quality required for the major new rights that the public will derive from the Act to be delivered effectively.
	The Information Commissioner also needs to increase substantially the staff complement of her office. The kind of people she needs to recruit to police the Act effectively cannot simply be recruited overnight. She needs people with knowledge of the way the public sector works and with proper investigative and project management skills.
	All this takes time, but the Government intend to complete these tasks as quickly as they can.